Blogs from Tanga, East, Tanzania, Africa - page 2

Hello to all! We've had a VERY eventful past few days after returning from Moshi. Wednesday and Thursday afternoons were packed full of bonding time with our beloved girls at the orphanage, and on Wednesday evening Tom and I actually bopped over to Popetlal Secondary School to check out what we heard was a pretty vibrant Ultimate Frisbee culture here in Tanga, and we weren't disappointed! Such good fun just chilling with the locals and internationals who came out to play, and I even went again last night! Thursday and Friday mornings we volunteered at Burhani Primary School, a new private school that has only 50 students. We organized and catalogued the small library there, and taught the kids basic computer skills. The Toledo International Youth Orchestra had donated two violins to the school, and even ... read more

Finally! Another blog post. We've had some Internet problems...Tuesday night we didn't have a chance to update, and last night there was a brownout in the city, so our region of Tanga had no power. (It's Africa - we go with the flow :D) Our past few days have been absolutely phenomenal...our favorite memories have DEFINITELY taken place at The Stehmann House, which is the orphanage we work at each day. So far we have spent time with just the 19 girls, ages 7-22, and will meet the 12 boys tomorrow. We've spent about 5 hours with the girls each day, and have done everything from reading Dr. Seuss books in English to listening to music (they have two CD's which they LOVE...and they sing right along with the scratches and skips in the music!) to ... read more

Tom and I are getting SO excited - we'll try to update this blog a few times a week while we're gone so all our beloved friends and supporters who have made this dream FINALLY become a reality can travel along with us :)... read more

Hello! I have decided to write an update about my life here in Tanzania. Having had a bit of difficulty finding a computer that will upload my photos without my having to sit at it for several days, I have decided to post a quick entry without the photos, and then rectify the situation when I get home, as I just can't wait to show you all what it is like here in pictures as well as descriptions. Life here is about as different as it could be from living in Chalk Farm! It is intense, a bit mad, and forever fascinating. Also tiring sometimes. Pretty much nothing is easy, but at the same time, everything is interesting, and the chance to become part of an African community is something special so I am doing my ... read more

The reason you haven’t heard from us in a week or so now is, that last week we were finally able to get away for a little rest and relaxation with the family. We had been planning on this trip for some time now. We were joined by Kelly & Callie, and 3 of the Hochdorfs; Anita & the kids Race and Maddie. I thought you would enjoy seeing a different side of Africa, the tropical coastline... Peponi, the place we like to camp at, means Paradise in Swahili, and it truly is! Every time we stand there at the camp site with the waves rolling in at our feet the song, "Have You Seen Jesus My Lord" comes to mind. Where it says, "Have you ever stood at the ocean with the white foam at ... read more